Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific one-hand dove-tailing (and more) router, October 2, 2005
After reading all the non-plunge router reviews I could find, and looking at each model in local stores, several tool features sold me on this unit. It helps living in a large metropolitan area, as numerous local stores sell professional-grade routers.
1. This is the only mid-sized router I could find that is designed to be controllable with one hand, with quick access to the off/on switch using your right thumb. (If you hold the router in your left hand, the switch won't be in the right place for your thumb.) This is important to me, because when routing dovetails, I hold a vacuum hose in my left hand, and the router in my right hand, so a two-hands-needed router won't work.
2. Router bits stay in the precise center of the base, even when bit depth is adjusted. This may sound pretty basic, but this is the only (non-plunge) router I could find where this was true. E.g., in ALL of the units I looked at where height adjusts via the motor assembly screwing into the base, the router bit shaft is hardly ever in the very center after you tighten the motor housing clamp. While this may not be critical for most router applications, it is whenever using template guides. E.g., to make dovetail joints or use door hinge templates.
3. Router is relatively light and easy to handle.
4. Model 5615-21 comes with a well-designed case and a clever built-in removable router base (click on customer photos above). There is no need to remove the bit from the router - as it is protected from damage while sitting right side up on the base, either with the base in the case, or with the base removed from the case. The case provides outstanding tool protection and has extra space around the tool for storage. Model 5615-20 is JUST the router - no case and no router base.
Soft-start was not important, although that would have been a nice plus. In fact, fast stopping of the bit would have been even more useful - i.e., it takes several seconds for the bit to stop after switching the tool to off.
I bought this router primarily to use with a Leigh 24" dovetail jig, although it's used for other purposes. It hasn't been used enough to testify to its longevity, but so far, it's just what the doctor ordered. The micro-adjusting screw is perfect for doing dovetails or door hinge routing, where you're typically moving the bit in or out, but 1/100" at a time. As with any well-designed router, you can set it upside down, because nothing sticks out.
Owning 5 routers of various types, I can assure you that there is no "perfect" router for all purposes. For example, I use a 3 hp plunge unit in a large router table - it's soft-start and variable speed, with plenty of power for those super-large panel door cutters, and bit changing needs but ONE wrench from the table top - because the tool's drive shaft can be locked. This Milwaukee unit needs TWO wrenches (included) to change bits; and while it's amazingly simple to insert or remove bits with the router sitting on a bench, that wouldn't be so if it was under a [router] table. Besides, it would be underpowered and too high-speed (for large bits).
The reviewer whose unit vibrated too much might have had a defective router - mine hardly vibrates at all. If I sit my router flat on a bench (with no bit), and turn it on and let go, it just hums, doesn't wander at all - and runs smooth as silk, although it's hardly quiet.
Since through dovetails need two routers to be set up (for productivity), I'm thinking of buying another one of these...
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply the best!!!, November 3, 2001
By A Customer
After using this new Milwaukee router, I have to say the it is truly the most well balance and comfortable router I have ever used. Why did it take so long for someone to thing of a body grip design? The ease of adjusting the depth is second to none and it cuts flawlessly. Even though I don't mount this under a table, once again Milwaukee has solved the problem of having to go under the table to adjust the depth by making a hole that you can then use a tool to adjust the depth from on top. Can't wait to see if they will come out with some bigger ones.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Handshake, February 27, 2002
The new Milwaukee Body grip router is simply an idea that was way past due. I had an out-dated router that used a setscrew against the router sleeve to hold position. Extremely frustrating and inaccurate. So I went out looking for a new router. Then one day I found the Milwaukee body grip router. I immediately knew that it was the router I must have... 3 things sold me on this router, the no spin adjustment mechanism, the easy flip-over clamp and the body grip feel. I really didn't like how the Porter Cable router requires you to spin the router body for adjustment. I do alot of table routing and didn't like the idea that the switch would be in a different location for each height. The large flip-over locking level provides plenty of tightening power to prevent movement, although I don't do any aggressive cuts. Lastly the feel of the body grip... I salivate when I think about how good this router feels. I have always found routing with 2 hands to be awkward or clumsy. The body grip on this router is so comfortable that I'm routing all of my dovetails, (ironically on my P/C jig), with one hand. And the switch is right there at my thumb for easy operation. You just get a very good fit with this router, it's like a "good handshake."Other notes... The router has very good power, and very little vibration. The screw mechanism for height adjustment is very smooth and accurate and doesn't move when the locking level is released. The wider opening makes tightening bits slightly easier. The base is not designed for 1 3/16" templates, so you will need to buy an additional base for template work. Also be aware if you already have a router table, the mounting pattern of many routers vary from one manufacturer to another. Overall... Nice job Milwaukee - I love it...
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